Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort

South Male Atoll, Maldives

Anantara Dhigu is an island ideal for families looking for a relaxing Maldivian escape, but with plenty of activities to keep the more restless occupied. With an array of restaurants and an over-water spa, this island offers great value for money.

At a Glance

Anantara Dhigu's kids club is open to children from the age of three, while most other islands' kids clubs are open from the age of four

The watersports center offers a huge range of activities, including windsurfing, sailing and waterskiing

The Chef's Garden is the perfect place to have cooking lessons and sample Maldivian cuisine

The Sunset Family Villa is ideal as there is a second bedroom for the children

There is a wide range of dining options, as Dhigu guests can head to neighboring Anantara Veli to dine in the restaurants and bars

Family, Beach, Diving, Sailing & surfing

Insider's View

Go for an Anantara Pool Villa rather than a Sunset Pool Villa for a larger swimming pool

Scott Dunn team

Insider's View

Opt for full or half board dine-around rather than regular full or half board as it is much more flexible

Description

Anantara Dhigu, on Dhigufinolhu Island in the South Malé Atoll, is just a 35-minute speedboat journey from the airport boasting spacious villas on the beach and over the water, some of which have pools. The proximity to the airport means that guests can really maximize their vacation, while still being far enough away to get the desert island feeling so many guests crave when they visit the Maldives.

Set in its own lagoon, Anantara Dhigu has lots to offer in terms of watersports, including jet skiing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and parasailing. Snorkelling and diving are also on offer, and guests can even try out the watersports center's very own Cayago Magnum - an underwater 'rocket' which allows guests to speed along beneath the waves.

Younger guests can head to the Dhoni Kids Club where activities including games both indoors and outdoors, as well as arts and crafts, are on offer. The club is free of charge for children from the age of 3 to 11 years, and those younger than 3 years can attend if accompanied by a parent or babysitter.

There is a wide range of dining options, as guests can head to neighboring adult only island Anantara Veli for meals in six different restaurants spanning the two resorts. Cuisines include Thai, Italian and Japanese, and there are also bars for light snacks and sundowners.

The over-water spa is staffed by massage therapists trained by Anantara in Thailand to a very high standard, offering a range of treatments.

Accommodation

Anantara Dhigu's 110 villas are located either over the water or just a few steps from the beach. Decorated simply using wood and block colors, the villas are designed to reflect the laid back atmosphere of the island. Choose between villas perfectly positioned to catch the sunrise or sunset, or those that have their own private plunge pool. Among Maldives luxury accommodation, Anantara Dhigu is outstanding with its choice of stylishly designed villas and suites. Each comes with direct access to the powdery white beach and only steps away from the tranquil lagoon.

Childcare

Anantara Dhigu's Dhoni Kidz Club is open to children from the age of 3 to 11 years unaccompanied. Those younger than 3 years can attend if accompanied by a parent or babysitter. Activities include scavenger hunts, coconut painting and dodge ball.

Babysitting is available on the island at the following rates:

USD15 per child per hour until 10pm

USD20 per child per hour between 10pm and midnight

USD25 per child per hour from midnight onwards

Facilities

Guests staying at Anantara Dhigu have access to three dining options on the island including the main restaurant, Fushi Cafe, serving the breakfast buffet every morning, with live cooking stations. In the evening, themed buffets can be eaten here, from international cuisines to local Maldivian food.

Neighbouring adult only island Anantara Veli is home to three further dining options which Dhigu guests can make the most of. 73 Degrees is located on Veli, open for breakfast and dinner with seafood options in the evening. Baan Huraa offers Thai cuisine for both lunch and dinner, while Origami offers sashimi and Teppanyaki for dinner.

Guests on dine-around half or full board can make full use of the restaurants on both islands, while guests on regular full or half board can eat in the main restaurants (Fushi Cafe and 73 Degrees) while getting a credit towards the other restaurants.

The Dhoni on Anantara Veli and Aqua on Anantara Dhigu are ideal places for a poolside sundowner. For those guests who want something a little more unique, Dining by Design can take them anywhere they choose on the islands, from the beach to a more remote sandbank.

Activities

A range of activities and excursions is available.

Watersports activities include diving, snorkeling and the underwater 'rocket' - the Cayago Magnum, which allows the guest to whizz along below the water's surface at 20km per hour, almost as fast as a dolphin. There are also jetskis - Yamaha WaveRunners available with a private guide; kayaking which can be done on the Anantara lagoon, some of which are glass to enable guests to see below the water's surface; sailing in a K1 Top Cat or the new Bravo Mini Cat; windsurfing; speedboating, waterskiing and parasailing. Surfing is also available.

Further afield, guests can head off on excursions to Male to experience life in the Maldivian capital; go island hopping; have a picnic on a neighboring island; go for a sunset cruise with a personal wine cellar, bar and chill-out area on-board while sipping champagne; go deep-sea or hand-line fishing, or even go surfing.

Location & Directions

South Male Atoll, Maldives

Anantara Dhigu is located in the South Male Atoll in a lagoon shared by two other islands. The Maldives is a long and narrow country formed by 26 natural atolls (coral islands that encircle a lagoon).

When to go

The Maldives has a tropical climate distinguished by two seasons, or monsoons: the dry northeast monsoon from December to March, and the wet southwestern monsoon from May to November, with more strong winds and rain. April is a transitional period noted for clear water and heat. The temperature remains remarkably consistent at around 30°C.

February to April is the hottest period and resorts are almost all operating at capacity during this period. Mid-December to early January comes at even more of a premium due to Christmas and New Year and prices are even higher. Easter and the Italian vacation week in August also attract peak prices at most resorts.

Storms are more likely from May to November, though it’s still warm, skies can be cloudy and the humidity is higher. This is the low season, with fewer people and lower prices, with the exception of August.

Diving is good year-round, although a basic rule is that life on the reef is more varied and visibility better on the western side of any atoll from May to November and from the eastern side of any atoll December to April.

A big attraction of this resort is its location to Haanifaru, one of the best places in the world to snorkel with Whale Sharks and Manta Rays. The season is May to October.